The Bastard First Prince Doesn't Want to Die

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 172

“You’re joking, right?”

“I’m not.” Aro shook her head.

The idea that she wanted to leave was strange, but not entirely unexpected. It was natural for someone living in such an isolated place to be curious about the outside world.

However, it was her position that concerned me.

“I heard something,” I said.

Aro looked at me intently.

“What is it?”

“I heard you’re the village chief’s successor.”

Aro’s eyes narrowed.

“And?”

“I don’t think the village chief will allow it.”

She stared at me for a moment after I said that, then suddenly stood up.

“That goes for you too, Uncle.”

“That’s different.”

I nodded.

“You and I are not in the same situation.”

A person who would one day lead the village and a stranger who had just appeared were not the same. Our positions within the village and our relationships with the village chief were completely different, even if she didn’t fully understand that.

“Hmph,” Aro pouted.

I chuckled.

Of course, if she could come with me to the capital, or Blood Cloud Fortress, or even Wolhan Fortress, it would be to my advantage. Having an ally with the same abilities as the village chief would be a huge asset.

However, if she caught the Second Prince’s eye, he would definitely try to keep her. My dear younger brother would do anything to gain an ally with magical abilities, even if it meant he would still be less legitimate than me.

In the end, it would probably lead to bloodshed. There was no other possibility. No matter what I did, my future with my brother was already sealed.

“Alright,” I said, standing up from the bench. “I’m going to see the village chief. Are you going to stay here?”

Aro shook her head.

“No, I’m coming with you.”

She jumped off the bench and started walking towards the village chief’s house. I followed at a slower pace.

When we arrived at the village chief’s house, I knocked softly.

The house seemed different from the last time I was here. There were strange symbols drawn around the door, and the garden was filled with strange plants.

The door creaked open and the village chief looked at us.

“Come in.”

As we entered, the village chief looked at me, then at Aro.

“Why are you two always together?” she asked.

Aro just grinned.

“Uncle is fun,” she replied.@@novelbin@@

The village chief narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“You can ask two questions from me,” she said.

I nodded.

“I know you have more questions, but let’s start with two. Your first question will tell me what’s most important to you.”

I shrugged and sat down.

“What do you know about me?”

The village chief frowned.

“You’re trying to be too clever.”

It seemed like my question was too broad.

Alright then...

“You know I have abilities, don’t you?”

This time, I got an answer. The village chief nodded.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

I had a pretty good idea how she found out.

As Jawoon had mentioned, she had the ability to learn information about anyone she came into contact with. She must have been able to delve deep into my mind to discover my abilities.

There was little I could hide from her.

I sighed.

Suddenly, the village chief started coughing. It began as a mild cough but quickly worsened.

She coughed so hard that her whole body shook.

“Are you alright?”

She couldn’t answer, her coughing fit was so severe. It had definitely worsened since a few days ago. What was once a mild cough now seemed like the cough of someone seriously ill.

Aro quickly got up and went to fetch some water.

By the time Aro returned with a glass of water, the village chief's coughing had subsided. Her face was flushed, as if she had a fever. I wondered if she was seriously ill.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing serious,” she said, waving my concerns away.

I couldn’t help but doubt her.

“What’s your second question? Hurry up.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m just getting old. It’s nothing to worry about.”

While I believed her, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I glanced at Aro.

She seemed just as unconcerned.

Was it really nothing serious? It couldn’t be.

Aro was too young to take on the role of village chief and protect the villagers. It was too much of a burden for her.

Maybe she wanted to escape it all.

I could understand that, but what would happen to the village if she left and the village chief passed away?

The village would probably collapse. The villagers didn’t seem capable of protecting themselves. And Jawoon would eventually leave as well.

“Alright then,” I said.

“What is it?”

“Is the term ‘outsider’ in this village used exclusively for those without abilities?”

The village chief frowned.

“Yes.”

She didn’t try to avoid the question. She had promised to answer, after all. But her tone suggested that she was annoyed by my question.

“I think I’ve answered most of your questions.”

I shook my head.

“I don’t think so. I still have many.”

“Hmm…”

She glared at me.

“For example, how can I return to my homeland?”

She seemed irritated by my question.

“I’m not going to answer that.”

“Could you explain a little more?”

She frowned again.

“You’ve already asked your two questions. To ask for more is…”

“Just listen.”

She sighed.

“Is Jawoon really without abilities? Are you sure?”

She raised an eyebrow, surprised by my question.

Then she replied, “Yes. He is definitely an outsider.”

Her answer was intriguing.

It seemed to imply that I wasn’t an outsider. It seemed that having abilities was the defining factor between an insider and an outsider in this village.

Did that mean everyone in this village had abilities? I would have to confirm that later.

“When can I ask my next question?”

She rolled her eyes. I seemed to have annoyed her.

“You’re quite greedy.”

“I just can’t stand not knowing things. That’s all.”

“Even if knowing won’t benefit you?”

“I’d rather die knowing than die not knowing.”

The village chief scrutinized me. Was she trying to read my mind

I crossed my arms defensively.

“What are you doing?”

“What are you looking at, village chief?”

She snapped, “Since you’ve started talking nonsense, it’s time for you to leave. Get out.”

“You’re so cold.”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, then leave. You’d be better off socializing with others than wasting your time with this old woman.”

Her words made me think of Osang. I hadn't spoken to him since I'd gone looking for him and ended up exploring the shrine. I should at least apologize for causing all that trouble.

"I don't mind, but since you've said so, I'll leave."

I nodded.

As I left the village chief's house, Aro followed me. She seemed to be sticking to me like glue.

“Are you following me?”

She nodded vigorously.

“Are you planning on making me your next target?”

She just stared at me without answering. After a moment, I realized she was nodding in agreement.

I chuckled bitterly.

“If you leave with me, where do you think you'll go? It won't be easy to come back.”

Once she left with me, she would lose her freedom.

When I asked her what she planned to do, she replied, “I don’t have any freedom right now.”

Hearing that, I fell silent.

“You’re right,” I said eventually. “You don’t have any freedom now.”

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]